The brand ingredient has been at Premiere Vision 2019 in Paris, France to inform and engage the Textile Industry
Since its launch on the market in 2016, the brand ingredient SEAQUAL™ has come a long way, sparking both emotion and commitment. Confident in the quality of SEAQUAL™ yarn, which helps rid the ocean of pollution, textile manufacturers are expanding their ranges, and was on show at the late Première Vision.
SEAQUAL™ was developed further to the observation that, every year, 12 million tonnes of detritus ends up in the sea, 80 % of which then sinks to the depths. This is runaway pollution: if nothing is changed, there will be one tonne of waste for every three tonnes of fish in our oceans by 2025! So SEAQUAL™ decided to start collecting this plastic, in partnership with fishermen, in order to upcycle the marine waste into polymers. This initiative was an instant hit with players in the textile industry. Every day, new collaborations are forged, leading to new fabrics with SEAQUAL™ certification.
Why become a member of SEAQUAL™?
To produce SEAQUAL™ polymers, plastic waste is retrieved from the ocean depths, cleaned and sorted. It is then upcycled into polymers, to be spun into top-quality recycled polyester fibre. The polymers boast practically the same physical properties as virgin polyester. Available in a broad range of sizes and finishes (continuous filaments and discontinuous fibres), SEAQUAL™ polymers are suitable for myriad applications. They can be used in fabrics for fashion, sport, denim, intimates, swimwear and hosiery, as well as furnishings, automotive upholstery, electronics and nonwovens. Demonstrating their commitment, manufacturers and brands partnering the brand ingredient SEAQUAL™ can in turn deploy their creative flair, for consumers to enjoy products featuring SEAQUAL™’s emotion and sense of commitment.
To try it is to love it!
The first manufacturers to develop fabrics using SEAQUAL™ polymers immediately acknowledged its intrinsic qualities and ease of use. It is every bit as versatile as standard polyester, and can be used in all weaves and with all dyes! Now demonstrating staunch loyalty, these textile firms are constantly adding to their range, developing new, more complex fabric qualities, achieved with new fibre mixes that incorporate SEAQUAL™.
SEAQUAL™ licences
As the French fabric manufacturers that set the benchmark in shirting fabrics, the group VERNE & CLET-MERMET continues to place its trust in SEAQUAL™, exhibiting seven new references. Their catalogue now features an entire set of super-soft, eco-friendly fabrics, combining SEAQUAL™ fibres, with organic cotton to achieve a canvas and a twill (respectively 135 and 140 g/sq.m), that mix 48 % organic cotton and 52 % SEAQUAL™; a 120 g/sq.m Oxford weave in 63 % organic cotton and 37 % SEAQUAL™; a warp and weft fabric using 47 % cotton and 53 % SEAQUAL™; and a jersey with a lozenge motif in 59 % organic cotton and 41 % SEAQUAL™. The firm is also trying out silky effects with a canvas and a twill (respectively 135 and 140 g/sq.m) in a mix of 48 % Tencel® and 52 % SEAQUAL™.
SOFILETA specialises in the design and production of innovative fine-gauge textiles, with an emphasis on function and performance. This family business with 100% of its output made in France is extending its “Green’Oblige” range. “Our aim is to showcase the SEAQUAL concept, and incite our clients to drop our standard polyester in favour of the same product using SEAQUAL™,” explained the Technical Director, Dominique Heuillard. Sofileta will be exhibiting both wovens and new stretchy circular knits in various weights. They have fabrics weighing 180 to 240 g/sq.m, suited to women’s swimwear; fabrics weighing 160 to 180 g/sq.m, ideal for fitness tops; knits weighing 300 g sq.m, perfect for leggings and athleisure. All in 100% SEAQUAL™, mixed with elastane as appropriate.
The Spanish leader in circular knits, A. SAMPAIO & FILHOS, is presenting a wide range of jersey, piqué and fleece knits developed using either 100% SEAQUAL™ or mixes incorporating organic cotton or elastane. This range has been called “Pure life”. For summer 2020, the firm is showcasing a new jacquard, in 72 % organic cotton and 28 % SEAQUAL™, and two fleeces in 75 % organic cotton and 25% SEAQUAL™.
PONTETORTO, an Italian manufacturer of premium fabrics for fashion and sport since 1952, is introducing three innovative fabrics: a fast-drying fleece knit in 51 % SEAQUAL™, 14 % recycled Antex yarn and 35 % hemp; two stretchy fleece knits, one in 88 % SEAQUAL™ and 12 % elastane and the other mixing 26 % SEAQUAL™, 68 % recycled polyester and 6 % recycled elastane.
The Portuguese firm LEMAR has specialised in wovens since 1939. It is now launching an entire series of plains and prints (floral and geometric motifs, stripes, etc.) in 100% recycled polyester, mainly SEAQUAL™. A huge selection of fabrics weighing 100, 125 and 175 g/sq.m for a whole host of applications in fashion through to sportswear, including beachwear and even leather goods.
The Spanish weaving mill TEXTIL SANTANDERINA has also made the SEAQUAL™ commitment as part of its vertical, eco-friendly production dynamic, mixing this polymer with recycled or organic cotton and other natural fabrics. It has furthermore implemented eco-friendly dyeing and processes to cut down on waste water and CO2 emissions. For Summer 2020, it has added five new fashion fabrics to its “Santanderina R/TURN” range, for jeans, trousers and jackets. Two of these have teamed cotton with SEAQUAL™: the first, in 60 % SEAQUAL™ and 40 % cotton, while the second, weighing 205 g/sq.m, contains 52 % SEAQUAL™ and 48 % cotton. The manufacturer is exhibiting new blends incorporating not only organic cotton, but also Lyocell and Lyocell RB™ to achieve a soft, silky texture with a natural feel. There are three available versions: two in 35 % organic cotton, 19 % recycled cotton, 25 % SEAQUAL™, 20 % Lyocell RB and 1 % elastane, weighing 340 and 365 g/sq.m; and the third made from 70% Lyocell and 30% SEAQUAL™, weighing in at 195 g/sq.m.
SEAQUAL™ is a working Initiative with a social ingredient: “Upcycled Marine Plastic”. Its goal is to create a virtuous economic model to challenge marine pollution, as a collaborative platform. SEAQUAL™ promotes clean-up initiatives, envolving collectors, certifying recyclers and transforming marine plastic waste into a range of recycled polymers, and finally into beautiful new products. Acting as a catalyst, SEAQUAL™ motivates and engages NGO’s, Fishermen, Local Communities and Industries towards a healthier and revalued marine life, inspiring consumers along the way. Through this process, products created with SEAQUAL™ social ingredient (Upcycled Marine Plastic) contributes to a virtuous post-consumer circle that gives us a new and cleaner ocean.
All of these firms have been present at Première Vision 2019 in Paris.